The Making of Sustainable Urban Development: A Synthesis Framework
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a clear and concise synthesis of sustainable urban development not only to serve as an essential reference for decision and policy makers, but also to encourage more strategically organized sustainability efforts.
Abstract: In a time of rapid climate change and environmental degradation, planning and building an ecologically sustainable environment have become imperative. In particular, urban settlements, as a densely populated built environment, are the center of attention. This study aims to build a clear and concise synthesis of sustainable urban development not only to serve as an essential reference for decision and policy makers, but also encourage more strategically organized sustainability efforts. The extensive similarities between environmental planning and a policy-making/decision-making/problem-solving process will be carefully examined to confirm the fundamental need to build a synthesis. Major global urban sustainability rankings/standards will be presented, discussed, and integrated to produce a holistic synthesis with ten themes and three dimensions. The study will assemble disparate information across time, space, and disciplines to guide and to facilitate sustainable urban development in which both environmental concerns and human wellbeing are addressed.
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DOI•
14 Feb 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the key elements of the international climate change framework and its effects on interventions at the local level and highlight the potential of these interventions for local responses to climate change.
Abstract: within the context of an international framework that shapes related actions and decisions at all levels.1 This framework is defined here as the spectrum of agreements, mechanisms, instruments and actors governing and driving climate change action globally. The overall structure of this framework is complex and multidimensional in that it is comprised of elements that are quite different and distinct in many of their functions and approaches, constituencies, scope and focus.2 While international agreements negotiated by national governments such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol remain crucial aspects of the framework, they are not the only mechanisms governing climate change action. Other layers of intervention have become equally important in implementing innovative climate change responses and policies, including those at the regional, subnational and local levels. Cities have a vital role to play in the implementation and achievement of commitments within the international climate change framework. They also stand to benefit from the opportunities created by this framework for local responses to climate change. Yet, local-level actors and authorities often lack an understanding of the nature and functioning of the various components of the international climate change framework and how they could utilize these to enhance their mitigation and adaptation strategies. For instance, many decision-makers operating at the city level lack a working knowledge of the opportunities and constraints associated with international financing options, including those established as part of the UNFCCC.3 In view of this, the aim of this chapter is to highlight the key elements of the international climate change framework and its effects on interventions at the local level. It is also intended to frame discussions of climate change conditions, trends and policies in the rest of this Global Report. The chapter starts by briefly describing the process by which climate change emerged as an issue of international concern culminating in the establishment of the UNFCCC as the key element of the international regime governing climate change issues. The core mechanisms, instruments and financing strategies of this Convention are then outlined. The Kyoto Protocol is also reviewed as the main international treaty with legally binding emission reduction commitments. Subsequently, the key actors, components and actions of climate governance at the international, regional, national and sub-national levels are considered. Finally, the implications of the international climate change framework for local action at the city level are outlined.
456 citations
DOI•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) as mentioned in this paper was founded to promote policies designed to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy.
Abstract: Founded in 1961 to replace the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC), which was linked to the Marshall Plan and was established in 1948. The change of title marks the Organisation’s altered status and functions: with the accession of Canada and USA as full members, it ceased to be a purely European body, and at the same time added development aid to the list of its priorities. The aims of the organization are to promote policies designed to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in Member countries, while maintaining financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; to contribute to sound economic expansion in Member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development; and to contribute to the expansion of world trade on a multilateral, nondiscriminatory basis in accordance with international obligations.
450 citations
17 May 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of urbanization and climate change are converging in dangerous ways that seriously threaten the world’s environmental, economic and social stability, and the United Nations report on Cities and Climate Change: Global Report on Human Settlements 2011 seeks to improve knowledge, among governments and all those interested in urban development and in climate change, on the contribution of cities to climate change.
Abstract: UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME The effects of urbanization and climate change are converging in dangerous ways that seriously threaten the world’s environmental, economic and social stability. Cities and Climate Change: Global Report on Human Settlements 2011 seeks to improve knowledge, among governments and all those interested in urban development and in climate change, on the contribution of cities to climate change, the impacts of climate change on cities, and how cities...
118 citations
TL;DR: The integrated approach using GIS and MCDM to assess the development sustainability of Karaj provided a flexible tool for analysis of the sustainable development, useful for planners and city managers.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used the U.S. as a case study to explore the challenges of, and prospects for, filling the gap of existing built environment indicators, and what gaps and challenges arise and how to overcome them.
45 citations
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5,312 citations
TL;DR: Mintzberg et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed a general model to describe the interrelationships among strategic decision processes in terms of 12 elements: 3 central phases, 3 sets of supporting routines, and 6 sets of dynamic factors.
Abstract: Henry Mintzberg, Duru Raisinghani, and Andre Theoret A field study of 25 strategic decision processes, together with a review of the related empirical literature, suggests that a basic structure underlies these \"unstructured\" processes. This structure is described in terms of 12 elements: 3 central phases, 3 sets of supporting routines, and 6 sets of dynamic factors. This paper discusses each of these elements in turn, and then proposes a general model to describe the interrelationships among them. The 25 strategic decision processes studied are then shown to fall into 7 types of path configurations through the model.'
3,713 citations
TL;DR: The Bachelor of Science in Sustainability as discussed by the authors provides the broad fundamental knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive sustainable outcomes that address today's urgent environmental, economic and social challenges.
Abstract: Sustainability seeks a way for human and natural systems to work together so that all species can survive and thrive over the long term, both locally and globally. The Bachelor of Science in Sustainability provides the broad fundamental knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive sustainable outcomes that address today's urgent environmental, economic and social challenges. This degree can be applied across a wide range of fields, from management, design and planning to environmental services in business, nonprofit and public institutions.
1,591 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the issues of urban sprawl and visit the Sprawl Net, at Rice University, which is under construction, but it should be an interesting resource.
Abstract: Regarding issues of urban sprawl Visit Sprawl Net, at Rice University. It's under construction, but it should be an interesting resource. Check out the traffic in the land of commuting. And, finally, enjoy Los Angeles: Revisiting the Four Ecologies.
1,533 citations